How to Take CoQ10 With Other Supplements

by
ALLEN BETHEA Last Updated: Sep 17, 2011

Allen Bethea

Allen Bethea has written articles on programming, web design,operating systems and computer hardware since 2002. He holds a Bachelor of Science from UNC-Chapel Hill and AAS degrees in office technology, mechanical engineering/drafting and internet technology. Allen has extensive experience with desktop and system software for both Windows and Linux operating systems.

Coenzyme Q10 is a natural, vitamin-like nutrient used to treat or prevent a variety of medical conditions. Coenzyme Q10--also known as Ubiquinone or CoQ10--is found in every cell of the body. The Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University reports that this compound can be effective in the treatment of hypertension, diabetes, congestive heart failure, Huntington's disease, myocardial infarction, Parkinson's disease, and more. It is essential that you take this important and ubiquitous nutrient properly in order to maximize its health benefits.

Step 1

Take your dose of coenzyme Q10 with a meal containing oil or fat. CoQ10 is hydrophobic: it does not dissolve very well in water. CoQ10 is very soluble in oil, however. If for some reason you must avoid fat in your diet, it may be necessary to take a larger dose of CoQ10 to compensate for reduced absorption.

Step 2

Schedule your CoQ10 dose when you take fat soluble supplements such as vitamin E, A and D. Most fat-soluble nutrients are dissolved in oil and packaged in capsule form. If taken at the same time, the capsules will work together for maximum nutrient absorption.

Step 3

Take your CoQ10 at the same time you take your vitamin E. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that CoQ10 enhanced the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of vitamin E.

Step 4

Take CoQ10 if you are taking supplements containing red yeast rice. Nutritional supplements with red yeast rice may contain the statin compound lovastatin. Lovastatin is the ingredient of Mevacor: a prescription cholesterol-lowering drug. Statins are known to reduce natural levels of CoQ10 up to 40 percent.